An intriguing, good reference site for citizens and consumers wanting to stay
on top of both sides of the GM foods controversy. It collects timely news on
the debate, latest reports and articles on agricultural biotech issues--from
technical analyses to environmental impacts, health risks, crop segregation and
regulation. Check the Consumer Choice section to gauge the wide
range of information here.

Just two examples of smart content AgBioTech has captured:

· a Washington Monthly April '01 article analyzing the U.S. patent office's
ability to meet the new legal and public interest issues raised by the
genomic revolution.
· And the National Academy of Science's April 2000
report on the safety of crops engineered for pest resistance.

And readers from both sides of the GMO
debate can subscribe to AgBioTech's free Daily Brief, which reports news in
the biotech food debate as well as a Weekly summary of GM Food news artilces
The newsletter is free; no ads, no sponsors.

Be better prepared for reading articles and reports on genetically modified organisms
(GMO); browse the Center's biotechnology and food glossary of terms.

To glimpse the scale of current genomic research and the major areas where
biotechnology has a significant impact (agriculture, animal, microbial science,
entomology and sustainability; medicine and veterinary medicine including
therapeutics, diagnostics and pathology; food science; bioprocess technology
and environmental science), the University of California is a good starting
reference point. Davis is one of the world's leading institutions for life science research.

This U.S. regulatory agency offers a small selection of press releases, FDA
statements, records of public meetings and the FDA's response to a lawsuit
(since dismissed) over the FDA's regulation of GM foods. An interesting section
is: "Are Bioengineered Foods Safe?". It's an interview with FDA
Commissioner Jane Henney, M.D., geared to the consumer.

Note: this site is not
updated; content is only from 1999 and 2000.

The Alliance, comprised of food producing organizations, offers a clear,
concise case on their web site for why the world is better off for having the
benefits of biotechnology in the production of food.

This organization presents a good range of information supporting biotechnology
and its applications. Its "Issues and Policies" section updates state and
national legislative initiatives, actions and how to get involved in advocating
for biotechnology. A separate 'Genomics' section has its own "Issues and
Policies" content.

Monsanto, a leading life sciences corporation, runs this site to educate on biotechnology issues and developments. Its sections of content
include a "FAQ" area; a "Timeline" on biotech research (the first
transgenic plant was a tobacco plant resistant to antibiotics) ; and a
"Knowledge Center" which has biotechnology news and updates for different parts of
the world.

DuPont, another leading corporation involved in agricultural biotechnology, offers a range of material on the subject. There's a primer on the science,history, policy and potential of food biotechnology in the "Intro to Biotech" section, as well as perspectives from a few political leaders on the debate. In the "FAQs" area of the site, Dupont outlines how it is addressing the concerns about GM food. A "Message" section allows visitors to get answers from Dupont to emailed questions and comments.

This group offers information, resources and how to get involved in
pressuring Congress to take action on labeling genetically modified food.
There's a section on how much GM food has already entered the U.S. food
supply and information on possible allergen risks and what to look for.

This public interest law firm is challenging the lack of adequate U.S. regulations on
genetically engineered food and initiated lawsuits against
the FDA for not labeling GM food.
CFS has written a Critique of The Food and Drug
Administration's New Proposal on Genetically Engineered Foods. (The FDA released its new proposal Jan 17,
2001; the public comment period expired April 3, 2001.)

This organization seeks a moratorium on GM foods. Its site is a good primer
on all the anti-GMO issues and easy to understand for those with
non-science backgrounds.

Over 30 farmer organizations endorsed
this coalition's Farmers' Declaration on Genetic Engineering in Agriculture. The
Declaration summarizes why the farmers' groups oppose GM crops and the
patenting of GM seeds by biotech companies and calls for more research into the
social, environmental and health risks, and mandatory labeling of GM
food products.

A 1999 Scientific American magazine article summing up the controversy over genetically modified
food, the major companies involved in this technology and short overviews of the two sides of the debate, with links.

This April 2000 issue of the magazine offers some opinionated anti-GMO food articles.

A Mother Jones magazine cover story on the government's rush to approve
GM foods, and the questions many feel were left unanswered.

An op-ed piece in The Economist summarizing both sides of the GM food issue, why much of the fear is unfounded,
and what government and corporations must do to gain public support of this technology.

A Salon.com article which tells the story of a lawsuit filed in the late 1990s against the FDA. The litigation turned
up internal documents revealing that some of the agency's scientists have doubts about the
safety of GM food.